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3. at the outset

at the outset

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at the outset

At the beginning. Honestly, I never expected this play to be so successful at the outset. At the outset, we had a much smaller budget for our renovations.

See also: outset

at the outset

Fig. at the very beginning. At the outset, we were told everything we had to do. I learned at the outset of the project that I was to lead it.

See also: outset

at the outset

Also, from the outset. At the start, from the start. For example, He wanted to explain his position from the outset, but there wasn't time, or At the outset the problem seemed simple, but then it became quite complicated. The noun outset is rarely heard today except in these phrases. [Mid-1700s]

See also: outset